BURERA - Over 400 members of unions, federations and cooperatives involved in various businesses, have formed an umbrella cultural institution ‘Itorero ry’Igihugu.’

The members, drawn from all cooperatives countrywide, formed the cultural institution this week, at the launch of three weeks civic education training at the Peace and Leadership Centre in Nkumba, Burera district.

The training, supported by Rwanda Cooperative Agency, is meant to educate participants on values of Rwandan culture and the national development programmes.

The Minister of Commerce, Monique Nsanzabaganwa, who opened the training, stressed the importance of cooperatives in economic transformation and poverty reduction.

She also urged the cooperatives’ leaders to always ensure accountability in their operations.

"Cooperatives belong to people with a common vision, doing similar business, but their success has been affected by few rotten individuals,’’ she said.

She advised the group to use the newly formed cultural institution as a platform to review their weakness, challenges and lay strategies to promote better service delivery for the benefit of members.

The Director General, Rwanda Cooperative Agency, Damien Mugabo, said there is need for cooperative leaders to have integrity, patriotism and positive mindset so as to manage the affairs of the cooperatives.

Dr Jean Baptiste Habyarimana, the Executive Secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, explained that ‘Itorero’ is a learning institution which cultivates patriotism among citizens while reviving the Rwandan culture.

The participants through their representative, pledged to change the image of the cooperatives which have been marred by corruption and embezzlement of funds.

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